McGuire Chevrolet Accepts Orders For All-Wheel Drive CTS

Anthony Fontanelle
May 12, 2007

Because of the anticipated strong demand for the premium 2008 Cadillac CTS, McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac is now accepting advance orders. The vehicle will be available this fall.

“The redesigned all-wheel drive 2008 Cadillac CTS is the answer to many of our customers’ wishes,” noted Mike McGuire, the President of McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac in Newton. “With winters such as they are here in Sussex County, our Cadillac CTS customers have been wanting the all-wheel drive feature,” he anticipates.

The 2008 CTS will go into production this summer with a late August or early September release in order to closely compete with Mercedes-Benz' all new 2008 C-Class. The C-Class, according to Cadillac dealers on the east coast, will be released around the same time frame. McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac invites interested customers to stop in at the dealership, which is adjacent to the square in downtown Newton, to discover more about the latest car.

In an interview April last year, Bob Lutz disclosed part of a prototype Cadillac which was later on revealed to spectators. The car appeared to take design cues from the Cadillac Sixteen concept that was unveiled in 2003. Prototype models caught testing at the Nürburgring in Germany also got several design features from the unmasked car showcased last month. Spy shots from the Nürburgring prototypes also reflected a manual transmission. The CTS will also offer an all-wheel drive option.

At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this year, GM introduced the all-new CTS that will be offered as a 2008 model. The base model will be equipped with a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 that produces 258 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. A second version will be offered with a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with approximately 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be optional. The on-demand all-wheel drive will be offered with both engines when equipped with an automatic transmission.

The new Cadillac CTS is made longer and wider, measuring 191.6 inches long, 72.5 inches (1841 mm) wide and 58 inches in height. It is also given a wider front or rear track of 61.8 and 62.0 inches respectively. Like its predecessor, the 2008 CTS is offered with rear- or, new for 2008, all-wheel-drive. Some braking, suspension and steering enhancements from last year's CTS-V have been added to the standard CTS.

The all-new Cadillac CTS is equipped with nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surrounded with larger high-performance brake calipers, rotors, and side air extractors on the front doors. Optional features include iPod integration, swiveling headlights, the Bose premium audio, and a remote start system. Though the car is not equipped with the Chevrolet pickup flex fan, the performance and the drivability of the car is said to be outstanding.

According to a recent issue of Motor Trend, a coupe and station wagon version of the CTS may be produced and sold in the United States, although GM feels that they may be more successful in Europe. Also, an American model of a Cadillac which would be based on the upcoming Saturn Astra may invade the territory in a sedan or four-door hatch form.

Separately, McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac also has agreed to supply 2007 Chevy HHRs to the “hole-in-one” competition at three upcoming charitable golf outings this season. Players at the Irene & Eric Simon Brain Research Foundation Golf Outing are the first to vie for the 2007 compact crossover SUV. The event is scheduled to happen on May 14 at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club.

On May 22, players at Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children will complete against golfers from around the state at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, with the HHR as the top prize. “We’ve never had a golfer win a vehicle yet and we’re hoping this will be the year,” noted Mike McGuire, the President of the downtown Newton dealers.

McGuire Chevrolet Cadillac supports numerous Sussex County charitable events including golf outings to blood drives as well as coat, grocery and book drives or collections annually. Supporters of the Sussex County YMCA will also try their luck at winning the retro SUV, that is based from the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban, at the Sussex County YMCA’s Golf Outing. This is scheduled on May 16 at the Ballyowen Golf Course, Vernon.

Source:  Amazines.com